Huskies Look To Get Back On Track

January 17, 2013, Saskatoon, SK (ISN) – Losing three of their first four games in the second half of the Canada West men’s hockey season, the No. 5 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies will look to get back on track against the UBC Thunderbirds on the weekend.

The T-Birds visit Rutherford Rink Friday and Saturday.

Saskatchewan opened 2013 with a weekend series split at home against the Manitoba Bisons. Last weekend, the Huskies suffered two one goal losses to bitter rival the Alberta Golden Bears. The bumpy start pushed the Huskies (14-6-0) four points out of first place in the conference.

UBC enters the weekend in fifth with a 11-7-2 record. The Thunderbirds have opened the second half with a 2-2 record, losing twice to the Calgary Dinos, before sweeping the Lethbridge Pronghorns last weekend.

Since 2005-06, the Huskies are 23-8-1 against the T-Birds including winning the two meetings in the first half of the season in Vancouver.

Kyle Bortis continues to have a big season for the green and white. The fourth-year leads the Canada West in scoring with nine goals and 18 assists and has been the key to the Huskies’ offensive production. Captain Brennan Bosch has also been strong recording 10 goals and nine assists, while rookie Jimmy Bubnick has tallied seven goals and nine assists.

Max Grassi has been the highlight for the T-Birds in 2012-13 sitting 10th in conference scoring with five goals and 15 helpers. Rookie Brad Hoban and Cole Wilson lead UBC in goals with nine and 10 respectively.

Ryan Holfeld has started every conference game for the Huskies this season posting a 2.89 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. David Reekie, who was injured throughout the first half of the season, returned to the lineup last weekend in a backup role.

Jordan White and Steven Stanford have split time in net for the Thunderbirds all season. White has played in 13 games recording a 2.65 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Stanford has appeared in 10 games tallying a 2.67 GAA and a .902 save percentage.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday’s games is set for 7 p.m. For tickets, call 306-966-1111 or visit huskies.usask.ca

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